Geelong Sustainability does a power of good work advocating for the environment, with older members leading the charge.
Vice-president Noreen Nicholson, 68, said seniors play an important role in the group, whose goals include sharing information and building community resilience.
The group has 175 members, many of whom are 50-plus, she said.
"Nine sit on the committee and four on the executive, three of whom are seniors.
"Seniors have more time to be involved and they want to give back to the community through meaningful projects."
Since its inception in 2007, Geelong Sustainability has initiated a range of innovative projects.
"This year we started the climate safe rooms program with a Victorian Government grant," Noreen said. "We are identifying 20 Geelong households with people who would be vulnerable in an extreme weather event.
"It involves retrofitting one room to ensure it's protected against extremes of heat or cold. We install a high-efficiency reverse cycle air conditioner and a rooftop solar system to offset running costs. We look at orientation, insulation, draft sealing, secondary glazing and efficient lighting."
CORE Geelong is another initiative aimed at facilitating the city's transition to renewable energy. "Last year we did a solar bulk buy, partnering with ShineHub," Noreen said. "We aimed for 100 households and decided that if we reached 200, we would donate three systems to vulnerable people who rely on electricity."
A total of 251 joined the solar panel and battery purchase. Three households received donated systems and a fourth went to homelessness service Samaritan House, which now saves about $5000 a year on power.
In another project, Geelong Sustainability recruited investors to fund the supply and installation of 150 solar panels on the Multicultural Aged Care Services (MACS) facility in North Geelong.
The savings for the facility are significant, investors are getting a return and MACS will own the system in 10 years. "It's the first time the model has been used in Victoria," Noreen said. "We're now looking for another high energy using facility to apply it again."
While seniors play a major role in Geelong Sustainability, there is also a drive to attract the young, including hosting Life Learning classes. Held in a restaurant or bar, these casual gatherings cover sustainability, environment, health and wellbeing.
There is also a monthly networking session, a Clever Living Seminar series and a sustainable house day, this year on October 19.
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